Die benthische Copepodenfauna in einem ufernahen Verschmutzungsgebiet der westlichen Ostsee

Abstract

The annual cycle and distribution of the benthic copepod fauna of a shallow inshore area in the South of Kiel Bay (Baltic Sea) were investigated. The species composition found is not typical for medium fine sand, but resembles that characteristic of a mixture of coarser sand, phytal and even soft bottoms. The mean population density was about 10 times smaller than in offshore stations (Scheibel, 1973). Obvious maxima were observed in July and November, and attributable to different species. The dominant harpacticoid species change several times during the year. Species diversity was highest in summer, lowest in winter, when only two species,Paraleptastacus holsaticus andScottopsyllus minor, were dominant. Many species show breeding maxima in spring and summer, a few in autum (e. g.Ameira parvula) or winter (e. g.Scottopsyllus minor). The effect of sewage pollution manifests itself significantly only in the immediate vicinity of the outfall: Species diversity decreases;Scottopsyllus minor, Nitocra spec., N. typica, Paraleptastacus holsaticus, Parastenhelia spinosa, as well asTachidius discipes are rather frequent in this zone. The potential value of these species as indicators of water quality is discussed. Most of the harpacticoids in the investigated area are rather tolerant to domestic waste products.

Zusammenfassung

1. Der Jahreszyklus und die Verteilung der benthischen Copepodenfauna eines ufernahen Flachwassergebietes in der südlichen Kieler Bucht wurden untersucht.

2. Die Populationsdichte zeigt im Juli und November jeweils ein deutliches Maximum. Im Laufe eines Jahres wechseln die dominierenden Arten mehrmals; die Artenvielfalt ist am höchsten im Sommer, am niedrigsten in Winter.

3. Die meisten Harpacticoiden des Untersuchungsgebietes sind gegenüber organischer Verschmutzung indifferent. Nur wenige Arten kommen als Indikatoren in Betracht.